India is aiming for “fleet mode construction” for future nuclear power plant projects in order to reduce costs and construction times, according to Kamlesh Vyas, chairman of the country’s Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). Speaking at the India Energy Forum’s 11th Nuclear Energy Conclave in New Delhi last month, he said that 17 new nuclear power reactors are planned in addition to those already under construction.
Vyas noted the overall contribution of India’s 22 operating nuclear reactors to the country’s electrical grid is relatively small, at about 3%. This, he said, is due to the smaller capacity indigenously designed reactors built initially to gain experience in nuclear technology.
The Indian government is committed to growing its nuclear power capacity as part of its infrastructure development programme, and has seven units currently under construction
- four indigenously designed pressurized heavy water reactors (PWRs), two each at Kakrapar and Rajasthan;
- two Russian-designed VVER PWRs at Kudankulam; and
- One indigenously designed prototype fast breeder reactor at Kalpakkam.
India plans to build 21 new nuclear power reactors – including 10 indigenously designed pressurised heavy water reactors (PHWRs) – with a combined generating capacity of 15,700 MWe into operation by 2031, the DAE announced in January.
Speaking at the same event, former Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said access to imported uranium can accelerate the nuclear program’s size as well as large scale thorium deployment. Referring to the waiver of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) to India in 2008, he said the nuclear program now has much less constraints.
The NSG is a group of nuclear supplier countries that contributes to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons by controlling the export of materials, equipment and technology that could potentially be used in their manufacture. All of its members, unlike India, are signatories of the NPT. Measures including a comprehensive specific safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency, an exception under NSG rules and a round of bilateral nuclear cooperation deals have enabled India to play an increasing part in the international nuclear marketplace.
India applied to join the NSG in May 2016, and the USA has previously pledged to work towards its entry into the group. The NSG at its June 2018 plenary said it “continued to consider all aspects” of its 2008 Statement on Civil Nuclear Cooperation with India and its relationship with the country.
